CBD for Menopause Symptoms and Mood Swings in Seniors

Updated and Medically Reviewed 1/28/2026

Written by Debra Dullaghan

CBD for menopause has become a prominent topic in recent discussions, with public figures like Naomi Watts and Brooke Shields contributing significantly to the conversation through their recent publications.

Naomi Watts, renowned for her role in Mulholland Drive, released her book, Dare I Say It: Everything I Wish I'd Known About Menopause on January 21, 2025. In this candid guide, Watts shared her personal journey, having faced menopause symptoms at the age of 36. She combines her experiences with insights from experts to dismantle the stigma surrounding menopause and provide support to women undergoing this natural transition. 

Similarly, Brooke Shields, the iconic actress and model, released her memoir, Brooke Shields Is Not Allowed to Get Old: Thoughts on Aging as a Woman, on January 14, 2025. In her book, Shields explores the challenges and empowerment that come with aging, including her experiences with menopause. She offers an intimate look into her life, encouraging women to embrace aging with confidence and grace.

These publications reflect a broader movement toward open discussions about menopause, aiming to educate and empower women during this significant life stage. 

Menopause marks a significant life transition, often accompanied by a range of physical and emotional symptoms. Among the most challenging are mood swings, which can arise from fluctuating hormone levels, sleep disturbances, and heightened stress. These emotional highs and lows can disrupt daily life, affecting relationships, work, and overall well-being.

As more people seek natural solutions for managing menopause symptoms, CBD (cannabidiol) has emerged as a promising option. Derived from the hemp plant, CBD interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which plays a vital role in regulating mood, stress, and sleep. Its potential to promote emotional balance and calm makes it an appealing alternative for those seeking holistic relief.1

Understanding Menopause and Mood Swings in Seniors

Menopause is a natural stage in a woman’s life that marks the end of her reproductive years. It typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, although the exact timing can vary. This transition is primarily driven by a decline in estrogen and progesterone, two key hormones that regulate various bodily functions. These hormonal changes can affect everything from metabolism and bone density to mood and emotional health.

The relationship between hormonal imbalances and emotional well-being is significant. Estrogen, in particular, plays a role in the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter often referred to as the "feel-good hormone." As estrogen levels drop during menopause, serotonin production may decrease, leading to feelings of irritability, sadness, or anxiety. Additionally, fluctuating hormones can disrupt the body's stress response, amplifying emotional reactions to everyday challenges.

Mood swings are among the most common emotional symptoms experienced during menopause. These sudden shifts in mood can feel unpredictable, ranging from irritability or anger to moments of sadness or even euphoria. They can also be exacerbated by other menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes, sleep disturbances, and fatigue, creating a cycle that intensifies emotional volatility.

By addressing the hormonal and environmental factors at play, women can take proactive steps toward emotional balance and overall wellness, incorporating tools like CBD and other holistic strategies to support this significant life transition.

The Three Stages of Menopause — and Why Symptoms (and Needs) Change

Menopause is often spoken about as a single event, but clinically, it unfolds across three distinct stages, each with different hormonal patterns, symptoms, and wellness needs. Understanding these stages helps explain why mood, sleep, pain, and recovery needs can shift over time — and why supportive tools like CBD may be used differently at each phase.

Perimenopause: The Hormonal Roller Coaster

Perimenopause is the transitional stage that occurs while a woman is still ovulating and having periods. Hormone levels — particularly estrogen and progesterone — fluctuate unpredictably during this time, creating what many women describe as a hormonal “roller coaster.”

After some discussions with our medical advisor, Dr. Callie Seaman, she stated that this volatility can significantly affect the nervous system and emotional regulation. Dr. Seaman openly shared that during her own perimenopausal transition, the dramatic hormone swings contributed to increased neurological symptoms, including a worsening of her seizures — a powerful example of how disruptive this phase can be.

Common perimenopause symptoms include:

• Mood swings and heightened emotional sensitivity
  

• Anxiety or irritability
  

• Sleep disturbances (often one of the earliest symptoms)
  

• Night sweats and fatigue

Sleep disruption during perimenopause is frequently linked to declining progesterone, a hormone that plays a calming role in the brain. At this stage, wellness support often centers on sleep quality, emotional balance, and nervous system regulation, rather than pain or inflammation alone.

Menopause: The Moment, Not the Phase

Menopause itself is a single point in time — defined as the moment when a woman has gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period, signaling the end of ovulation.

This distinction matters because menopause is not a prolonged stage, but rather a milestone between perimenopause and post-menopause. Symptoms don’t suddenly disappear here; instead, the body is transitioning from fluctuating hormones to a new baseline.

Mood changes, sleep challenges, and stress sensitivity may still be present, but the underlying hormonal pattern begins to shift away from constant fluctuation.

Post-Menopause: New Stability, New Challenges

Post-menopause begins one year after menopause has occurred. At this stage, the dramatic hormonal swings of perimenopause are gone, and estrogen and progesterone levels remain consistently low.

As Dr. Seaman explained it, while the emotional “roller coaster” often settles, new physical considerations emerge, including:

• Increased joint stiffness and osteoarthritis
  

• Muscle mass reduction (sarcopenia)
  

• Slower recovery after physical activity

Because inflammation and musculoskeletal discomfort become more prominent in post-menopause, wellness needs often shift toward anti-inflammatory support and physical recovery. This is where topical products — such as CBD topicals for seniors — may play a larger role, alongside internal support.

Resistance training is especially important during post-menopause to preserve muscle mass, and CBD may support recovery from strength training and physical activity, helping women stay active and resilient.

CBD, Hormone Therapy, and a Holistic Approach

Some women choose to use hormone replacement therapy (HRT) during menopause, and it’s worth noting that CBD can be used alongside HRT, not as a replacement.2 While research is still emerging, many clinicians view CBD as a complementary tool that may support sleep, mood, inflammation, and recovery within a broader wellness plan.

The key takeaway is that menopause is not one experience. Each stage brings different challenges — and different opportunities for targeted, supportive care.

By understanding where you are in the transition, you can make more informed choices about lifestyle habits, movement, stress management, and natural wellness tools like CBD — adapting your approach as your body’s needs evolve.

How CBD Works in the Body

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays a crucial role in maintaining balance within the body, known as homeostasis.3 This system is made up of receptors (CB1 and CB2), endocannabinoids (naturally occurring compounds in the body), and enzymes that break down these compounds. The ECS influences key functions such as mood, sleep, stress response, appetite, and immune regulation. When the ECS is in balance, it helps the body manage daily stressors and maintain emotional and physical well-being.

CBD (cannabidiol) interacts with the ECS indirectly. Unlike THC, which binds directly to CB1 and CB2 receptors, CBD influences the ECS by promoting the production of natural endocannabinoids and preventing their breakdown. This helps enhance the system’s ability to regulate processes like mood and stress. CBD also interacts with other receptors, such as serotonin receptors, further supporting emotional stability.

During menopause, hormonal imbalances can disrupt the ECS, potentially contributing to mood swings, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. By supporting the ECS, CBD may help restore balance and improve the body's response to stress.4 It also has anti-inflammatory and calming properties, which may further contribute to a sense of well-being.

CBD for Managing Menopause Symptoms

One significant benefit of CBD is its ability to reduce anxiety and stress, common contributors to mood swings. By influencing serotonin receptors and supporting the ECS, CBD may help stabilize emotional responses, promoting calmness and resilience during stressful situations. Many users report feeling more grounded and less overwhelmed after incorporating CBD into their routines.

CBD also plays a key role in improving sleep quality.5 Insomnia and disrupted sleep are frequent complaints during menopause and often exacerbate mood-related symptoms. CBD’s calming effects can help regulate sleep cycles, enabling deeper, more restorative rest. By addressing sleep disturbances, CBD may indirectly improve mood and reduce the emotional toll of fatigue.

Additionally, CBD may enhance overall emotional balance by reducing the body’s inflammatory responses and promoting neurochemical stability. Its potential to regulate cortisol, the stress hormone, can further contribute to steadier emotions throughout the day.

Beyond mood swings, CBD may alleviate other menopause symptoms. For instance, its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties can help with joint pain or stiffness, improving mobility and comfort. Some research suggests CBD may also influence thermoregulation, potentially easing the intensity and frequency of hot flashes.

While limited clinical research has focused specifically on CBD use during menopause, menopause-related symptoms such as mood swings, anxiety, sleep disruption, and heightened stress involve biological systems that have been extensively studied. Research on mood regulation, stress response, and the endocannabinoid system helps explain why some women explore CBD as part of a broader wellness approach during this life stage.6

Incorporating CBD into a menopause management plan can provide holistic relief by targeting multiple symptoms at once. From mood stabilization to improved sleep and reduced physical discomfort, CBD offers a natural, non-intoxicating solution for women seeking balance and comfort during this transformative life stage. As with any supplement, it’s important to start with a low dose, consult a healthcare provider, and choose high-quality products to ensure safety and effectiveness.

Choosing the Right CBD Products for Menopause

Choosing the right CBD products during menopause involves understanding both the various product formats available and where you are in the menopausal transition. Because menopause unfolds across three stages — perimenopause, menopause, and post-menopause — individual needs often change over time, and the type of support that feels most helpful may shift accordingly.

CBD tinctures for seniors are popular for their versatility, allowing users to adjust doses easily and take them sublingually for faster absorption. These formats are often explored during perimenopause or early menopause, when mood changes, stress sensitivity, and sleep disruption may be more prominent. CBD softgels and CBD gummies for seniors offer a convenient and discreet option for daily consistency, though their effects may take longer to kick in due to digestion.

CBD topicals for seniors are especially well suited for post-menopause, when joint stiffness, localized discomfort, and muscle recovery tend to become more noticeable. By applying CBD directly to targeted areas, many women incorporate topicals as part of a broader recovery or movement routine. Vape products provide the fastest onset of effects but may not be appropriate or appealing for everyone.

When it comes to dosage, starting low and gradually increasing is key. You can check out our brand new CBD dosage calculator and guide as an educational resource to support your individual CBD journey. For mood-related benefits, a starting range of 15–25 mg of CBD per day is commonly used, with adjustments based on personal response. Consistency matters, as CBD’s effects often build gradually over time.

To ensure you’re using a high-quality product, look for options that are third-party lab tested to confirm potency and purity. Full-spectrum CBD contains a range of cannabinoids and terpenes that may enhance effectiveness through the entourage effect, while broad-spectrum CBD is THC-free and ideal for those who prefer to avoid THC entirely. Choosing products made from organic, U.S.-grown hemp helps ensure quality and safety.

Menopause is a transformative stage of life, and no two experiences are the same. From emotional shifts that may arise earlier in the transition to physical comfort and recovery needs that often emerge later, CBD’s versatility allows women to adapt their wellness approach as their bodies change. When used thoughtfully, CBD can serve as a supportive tool within a holistic menopause wellness plan — one that evolves alongside each stage of the journey.

Frequently Asked Questions About CBD for Menopause

Can CBD help with menopause symptoms?

CBD is not a treatment for menopause, but some women explore it as part of a holistic wellness routine. Menopause-related symptoms such as mood changes, stress, sleep disruption, and inflammation involve biological systems that CBD has been shown to influence, including mood regulation and stress response pathways. This overlap helps explain why CBD is often discussed in menopause wellness conversations.

How does CBD support mood and stress during menopause?

Hormonal changes during menopause can affect neurotransmitters and stress-response systems involved in emotional regulation. CBD interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which plays a role in mood balance and stress response. While individual experiences vary, some women report feeling calmer or more emotionally balanced when using CBD consistently.

Does CBD help with sleep problems during menopause?

Sleep disturbances are common during menopause and can worsen mood and fatigue. Research suggests CBD may influence systems involved in sleep regulation and relaxation, which is why some women explore it to support more restful sleep. Consistency, proper dosing, and product quality are important factors.

What type of CBD is best for menopause — tinctures, gummies, topicals, or suppositories?

There is no single best CBD product for menopause, as needs often change throughout the transition.

• CBD tinctures or softgels are commonly used for daily consistency and overall wellness

• CBD gummies offer a convenient option for routine use

• CBD topicals are often explored for post-menopause concerns like joint stiffness or localized discomfort

• CBD suppositories can potentially provide a more direct absorption method that skips the digestive system, which can break down and delay the release of active ingredients.

The best option depends on your goals, preferences, and how your body responds.

How much CBD should I take for menopause-related support?

There is no universal CBD dosage for menopause. A common approach is to start low and gradually increase while paying attention to how you feel. Many people explore daily amounts in the 15–25 mg range, but individual needs vary. Educational tools like CBD dosage guides or calculators can help support informed decisions.

Is CBD safe for seniors and older adults?

CBD is generally well tolerated, but it can interact with certain medications. Seniors and older adults should consult a healthcare provider before adding CBD to their routine, especially if they take prescription medications. Choosing THC-free, third-party lab-tested CBD products made from U.S.-grown hemp is an important safety consideration.

Sources Cited

1. Melas, Philippe A et al. “Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety and Mood Disorders: Molecular Targets and Epigenetic Insights from Preclinical Research.” International journal of molecular sciences vol. 22,4 1863. 13 Feb. 2021, doi:10.3390/ijms22041863 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33668469/

2. Cameron, Courtney R et al. “The Art of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) in Menopause Management.” Journal of pharmacy practice vol. 37,3 (2024): 736-740. doi:10.1177/08971900231167925 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37002679/

3. Lu, Hui-Chen, and Ken Mackie. “An Introduction to the Endogenous Cannabinoid System.” Biological psychiatry vol. 79,7 (2016): 516-25. doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2015.07.028 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26698193/

4. Blessing, Esther M et al. “Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety Disorders.” Neurotherapeutics : the journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics vol. 12,4 (2015): 825-36. doi:10.1007/s13311-015-0387-1 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26341731/

5. Shannon, Scott et al. “Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series.” The Permanente journal vol. 23 (2019): 18-041. doi:10.7812/TPP/18-041 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30624194/

6. Dahlgren, M Kathryn et al. “A survey of medical cannabis use during perimenopause and postmenopause.” Menopause (New York, N.Y.) vol. 29,9 (2022): 1028-1036. doi:10.1097/GME.0000000000002018 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35917529/